The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted an aerodrome licence to Noida International Airport (NIA), clearing its final regulatory hurdle ahead of launch. The licence certifies the airport meets all required safety and operational standards, with cargo and domestic flight operations expected to commence within 45 days.
Licensed for all-weather, 24×7 operations, the airport features a 3,900m runway equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS), parking for 26 aircraft, and ARFF Category 9 facilities capable of handling wide-body jets, including the Boeing 777-300ER.
The approval follows security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which had previously flagged concerns over potential interference with a key navigation aid and a temporary steel wall near the site, the latter to be replaced by a permanent structure within six months.
Located across 1,300 hectares in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, NIA is being developed by Zurich Airport International AG under a 40-year PPP agreement. Originally slated to open in September 2024, the airport will handle approximately 12 million passengers annually in its first phase, scaling up to 70 million across all four phases, positioning it as a significant aviation hub for the National Capital Region.
